When John Foster first stepped onto the American Idol stage, there were doubts — and they came straight from one of country music’s biggest stars. Luke Bryan, unsure of Foster’s vocal power and polish during his audition, hesitantly handed him a golden ticket. “I just don’t know if you’re ready,” Bryan said at the time. Fast forward to the Top 8 live show on May 5, 2025, and Foster has more than proven he belongs — he’s become one of the breakout stars of the season.
On Monday night, Foster delivered what many are calling his defining performance: a tender, emotionally charged rendition of George Strait’s “I Cross My Heart.” What began as a gentle love letter to his girlfriend blossomed into a masterclass in restraint, emotion, and vocal control. It was classic country at its most honest — and it brought the judges to their feet.
The biggest surprise? Luke Bryan, who had once doubted Foster’s abilities, publicly admitted he got it wrong. “I was scrolling TikTok,” Bryan shared during the live show, “and I saw a clip of me saying you didn’t have the voice for this. And man… you proved me more wrong than anyone ever has.”
This wasn’t Bryan’s first mea culpa. Back during the Top 14, after Foster delivered an original song, Bryan called him “a wildcard,” adding, “What you just did removed all doubt.” Since then, Foster has continued to gain momentum, evolving from a quiet underdog to one of Season 23’s most consistent and heartfelt performers. His authenticity, gentle charisma, and emotional depth have struck a chord with both fans and judges alike.
This week also marked the return of the Judges’ Song Contest, a fan-favorite twist where each judge secretly selects a song for the contestants, who must choose from the options without knowing which judge chose which track. Foster’s pick? “I Cross My Heart” — later revealed to be the selection of none other than Carrie Underwood. A former Idol champion herself, Underwood clearly saw Foster’s potential to bring soul and sincerity to the classic. She was right.
Each time a contestant picked a judge’s song, that judge earned a point. By the end of the night, Bryan and Lionel Richie tied with three each, narrowly edging out Underwood, who finished with two.
Then came the results. Over a million votes were cast, and six contestants advanced: Slater Nalley, Thunderstorm Artis, Gabby Samone, Breanna Nix, Jamal Roberts, and John Foster. That left Mattie Pruitt and Josh King in the bottom two.
As winners of the Judges’ Song Contest, Bryan and Richie were given the power to save one contestant. Underwood, when asked to help break the tie, declined — not wanting to make the final call. In the end, Mattie Pruitt was granted the wildcard spot, while Josh King was sent home.
Now, the Top 7 are headed to Disneyland for a special two-night live event themed around Mother’s Day and classic Disney songs. Expect magic, nostalgia, and emotional performances — especially from Foster, who continues to rewrite his own story, one heartfelt note at a time.